China steps in for political, economic stability in Pakistan

Amid rising political temperature, the deputy head of Mission of Chinese Embassy, Pang Chunxue, met the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leadership on Sunday to discuss the current political situation and convey that China wants political and economic stability in Pakistan.

Appreciating the international, regional and defence cooperation between Pakistan and China, the PML-Q leaders said that Pakistan has always had friendly relations with China, which Pakistan not only values but is also proud of.

“China wants political and economic stability in Pakistan,” Chunxue was quoted as saying in PML-Q’s official statement.

She also called on PML-Q President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and incumbent Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi and discussed in detail the current political situation in the country and issues of mutual interest at their residence.

Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi, ex-federal minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, and MNA Hussain Elahi were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the current political situation in the country, as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and bilateral relations were also discussed in detail.

The meeting and the statement has come at a time when the political volatility is at peak in Pakistan as the opposition parties have submitted a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan, claiming that they have the required numbers to oust the premier.

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In response to the opposition move, the premier has also started reaching out to public and has held rallies in different cities in Punjab and Khyber Pakunkhwa (K-P), met the government’s coalition partners and announced to hold a public rally on the eve of no-trust motion at D-Chowk – right outside the assembly and Parliament Lodges.

As both sides are gearing up for showing majority in the National Assembly (NA), the whole focus has been shifted on no-trust motion and everything else has taken a back seat, including the weekly federal cabinet meetings where key decisions were taken almost every week.

The motion has been moved at a time when Pakistan is hosting the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Meeting of Foreign Ministers on March 22 and 23 and the foreign ministers would be in attendance at the March 23 parade .

Legally, the National Assembly (NA) speaker has to call a session of the assembly within 14 days after it was requisitioned. However, no decision has so far been made when the session would be called.

As the newly-built opposition alliance has submitted the motion, new factions within the ruling party have emerged and put pressure on the government to change Punajb Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. Reportedly, the opposition parties have offered Elahi top slot of the province provided his party part ways with the government and support the opposition alliance.

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For weeks, political instability has gripped the country and the nation is on its toes to see what comes out of the no-trust motion. Amid runaway inflation, unemployment and deteriorating law and order situation, coupled with economic challenges, the focus has not just shifted from the core issues but would remain on the no-trust motion until voting is done or a way out is figured out.